Perils of the Sea
1881 Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute
About this artwork
This watercolor depicts two women in shawls standing on a wooden pier looking out over the sea, while others sit nearby observing the horizon. It is a poignant representation of the coastal life and anxiety regarding seafaring livelihoods.
Did you know?
Winslow Homer created this work during his formative stay in the English coastal village of Cullercoats. The women depicted are likely local fishwives, whose lives were constantly shaped by the dangerous Atlantic waters. This period marked a significant shift in Homer's career as he turned away from lighthearted genre scenes toward the more somber, heroic themes of humanity struggling against the power of the sea.
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Perils of the Sea
Winslow Homer, 1881
